Question

Read the following passage and answer the question given below.

Despite being a major food producer with extensive food security schemes and the largest public distribution system in the world, India still grapples with significant levels of food insecurity, hunger, and child malnutrition. The Global Hunger Index (GHI), 2022, ranked India 107 among 121 countries.

In the light of the above passage, discuss three major problems encountered in attaining food security.

Answer 1

Lack of support for farming, no loans, no credit, no market facilities for farmers no MSP storage- no good cold storage facilities/access – no access to subsidised food for all underprivileged.

1. The production of food has stagnated but growth in population has not.
2. Low incomes/poverty and disease.
3. Less arable land available for cultivation/dependence on natural factors. The cost of food is increasing, making it unaffordable for many. After the Green Revolution, cases of malnutrition have increased.
4. Resource flow into agriculture has increased.
5. Climate change has been responsible for poor productivity.
6. Gross capital formation in agriculture has been declining.
7. Crop output may be reduced due to floods.
8. Poor infrastructure for storage [improper warehouses] and poor transport facilities.
9. Unavailability of timely credit for marginalized farmers.
10. Presence of large middlemen reduces the profit margins.
11. Agricultural produce is not graded.